Nelle
Every Nelle since 1880 — 5,794 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Nelle
Nelle is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #4,325 in 2025 with 33 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 5,794 American babies have been named Nelle. Its peak came in 1917, when 169 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Nelle stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Nelle year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 33 | #4,325 |
| 2024 | 26 | #5,105 |
| 2023 | 34 | #4,257 |
| 2022 | 26 | #5,130 |
| 2021 | 29 | #4,703 |
| 2020 | 37 | #3,892 |
| 2019 | 32 | #4,416 |
| 2018 | 28 | #4,858 |
| 2017 | 15 | #7,738 |
| 2016 | 17 | #7,142 |
| 2015 | 18 | #6,911 |
| 2014 | 10 | #10,724 |
| 2013 | 7 | #14,209 |
| 2012 | 12 | #9,554 |
| 2011 | 5 | #18,786 |
| 2010 | 7 | #14,548 |
| 2009 | 7 | #14,792 |
| 2008 | 7 | #14,954 |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | 8 | #13,278 |
| 2005 | 6 | #15,883 |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | 7 | #13,080 |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | 5 | #11,902 |
| 1980 | 5 | #11,588 |
| 1975 | 6 | #8,698 |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | 5 | #7,219 |
| 1960 | 7 | #5,542 |
| 1955 | 11 | #3,722 |
| 1950 | 8 | #4,219 |
| 1945 | 17 | #2,129 |
| 1940 | 13 | #2,384 |
| 1935 | 22 | #1,644 |
| 1930 | 45 | #1,113 |
| 1925 | 84 | #813 |
| 1920 | 128 | #639 |
| 1915 | 139 | #539 |
| 1910 | 65 | #508 |
| 1905 | 85 | #370 |
| 1900 | 91 | #355 |
| 1895 | 112 | #264 |
| 1890 | 143 | #198 |
| 1885 | 109 | #175 |
| 1880 | 65 | #189 |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Nelle in 2025?
Nelle ranked #4,325 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 33 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Nelle?
5,794 babies have been named Nelle in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Nelle most popular?
Nelle peaked in 1917, when 169 newborns received the name.
Is Nelle a boy or girl name?
Nelle is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Nelle rising or falling?
Nelle is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.